UWTC is well-known internationally for its research in technical communication. From experimental studies of communication design variables to cultural studies of technology adoption in developing nations, our award-winning research has consistently led the way in broadening the knowledge base of the field.

We support student and faculty research with cutting-edge facilities like the UWTC Laboratory for Usability Testing and Evaluation (LUTE). LUTE, founded in 1989 with a mission to promote the development of "technology in harmony with human performance” provides tools to support a wide variety of research methods” formal experiments as well as usability tests, focus groups, co-design processes, and other approaches. Its extensive digital video equipment and other tools support end-to-end data capture and analysis, report writing, and creation of highlights DVDs.

Directed research in UWTC offers students a wide range of opportunities to do hands-on work with a faculty member, from conducting usability tests for local companies all the way to collecting data on communication issues in Uzbekistan or Mozambique . The department's very active and growing research agenda continually generates new projects and new opportunities for students to be partners in our research endeavor.